Book Review: I'm Bored! by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Book: I’m Bored
Author: Michael Ian Black
Illustrator: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Published: 2012
Source: Local Library

A kid is bored. And she bemoans this fact aloud. At length. Then, she finds a talking potato. (Still boring.) The potato is bored too, and annoyed that he only has a kid to hang out with, because kids are boring. The kid takes umbrage, and promptly shows off all the awesome things she can do. (Skip! Ninja kicks! Imagining stuff!) But the potato is resolutely bored.

This is the book that prompted my co-worker to suggest a surrealism storytime. Because, talking potato. Also, bonus flamingo. Ohi’s illustrations jump and fizz and prompt laughs everywhere. This is a book for every parent who has heard this familiar refrain, and every kid who has ever uttered it.

Stack-Buster #7

Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere

Oh dear! A monster is on its way to YOU. Do you think he’s contemplating how best to eat you up? Yikes! Ed Vere (who wrote one of my all-time favorite storytime picks, Banana!) is in top form again.



The Chandeliers by Vincent X Kirsch

The famous Chandeliers, stars of the stage, put on the greatest show in town. Unfortunately, little Rufus is too young to tread the boards. But he finds ways to help out, and in the process shows that the backstage is as valuable as the stars in the spotlight.






King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub, written by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood

And he won’t get out! The whole court tries in various ways, only to be pulled into the tub themselves. With its delightfully silly plot and lush, detailed illustrations that beg for close examination, this is a storytime classic for a reason.

No Roundup This Month

Mea culpa, guys. I only read two new picture books this month. You can't round up two picture books. I'm going to combine January and February into one post next month.